Category: Recreation: Tobacco Smoking and Vaping

From The Parish Magazine, October 1902:

Ancient Smoking Pipes Discovered At Maiden Bradley

Mr. T. Scanes has made an interesting discovery of ancient tobacco pipes and has communicated to us the following concerning them:

“The old fashioned clay pipes that are frequently found in different parts of the village, chiefly I believe in the neighbourhood of the Priory, have occasionally the makers’ initials or names stamped upon the lips under the bowls. Among the records that have been found are ‘Edw. Sandell,’ ‘G.B.’ and ‘John Simes.’

Dr. Blackmore, of the Salisbury Museum, has recently examined some of these and remarks: In the 17th century Amesbury was celebrated for its pipes, especially the ‘Gauntlet’ pipes as they were called, from a well-known manufacturer of that name. Though the pipes are said to have been made in Amesbury the Gauntlets lived at Salisbury.

Three pipes at least that have been found here [Maiden Bradley] are stamped with Sandell’s name, with a possible variation in the spelling. This is not a very common name, but it is a well-known name at Amesbury, and there are Sandells living there now. The shape of the bowl indicates a date between 1660 and 1670, and possibly might have been made at Amesbury.”